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State can’t be trusted to educate equitably

As a mom with four school-aged kids, my heart is aching for the children and families of Youngstown City Schools. For many, sending your child to school is bigger than any one day in the classroom. It’s the promise of an equitable future. When you’re just trying to survive your morning routine, you don’t have time or patience to hear about misguided politics influencing our public education system. As a taxpayer, you deserve to trust that your kids are learning what they need to become well-rounded, thoughtful humans. But, unfortunately, we live in Ohio, where the mantra seems ...

2nd power plant more cause to celebrate

As I held the shovel in my hand with the hardhat on my head, standing next to Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill and other important dignitaries, I had not yet fully grasped the monumental significance of the symbolic event. I am referring to the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Trumbull Energy Center (TEC), better known throughout the Valley by its more technical name, “The Second Power Plant.” We are all familiar with “The First Power Plant,” Lordstown Energy Center, mostly because we vividly remember celebrating the benefits received from $1 billion of economic investment. Maybe ...

On Issue 1, vote a resounding ‘no’

We face an epic question in the Aug. 8 special election. Do we keep our power as voters to make important decisions about our lives and vote a resounding “no” on Issue 1? Or do we place our full trust in lobbyists and politicians in Columbus? Ohio has a proud history where 50 percent plus 1 equals winning in sports and democracy in politics. In 1912, 57.5 percent of state voters approved a constitutional amendment to check power of corrupt Statehouse politicians. It’s not easy to pass a constitutional amendment. Since 1913, only 71 citizen-driven ballot initiatives made it to ...

Why voters should say ‘yes’ on Aug. 8

On Election Day, Aug. 8, Ohio voters will go to the polls to vote on Issue 1 to protect the integrity of the Ohio Constitution. A vote “yes” is necessary to protect our constitution from out-of-state special interests that are well funded and have been unable to win elections at the ballot box in Ohio thus far. A “yes” vote ensures that leftist special interests cannot come into Ohio, purchase our constitution, override our duly elected state officials or circumvent our elected judiciary. For an amendment to be made to the U.S. Constitution, two-thirds of both the U.S. Senate ...

Local news good for business, deserves Congress support

It’s no secret that recent years have been tough on small businesses and on newspapers. A bipartisan bill in Congress, “Community News and Small Business Support Act,” would offer relief to both newspapers and local businesses. For too many newspapers, help can’t come soon enough. Economic challenges have resulted in too many communities seeing their local newspapers being forced to lay off staff, cut back on publication days or — worse yet — close. On average, two newspapers are closing each week. That hurts local businesses and residents in the long (and short) run. ...

School funding changes historic

This is to express my thanks as a lifelong Ohioan, a parent and as an educator to those in the Ohio Legislature and the governor for implementing phase two of the Fair School Funding Plan. While this is phase two of three in state budget cycles to phase it in, it is a huge step forward in ...